.44 Special VS .45 ACP Buffalo Bore Barnes TAC-XP
BY Herschel Smith
3 years, 8 months ago
Hmm … I have three comments.
First, I’m very impressed with the expansion of the Buffalo Bore PD ammunition.
Second, I’m not sure I’d claim that Buffalo Bore didn’t use +P brass on this round until they confirm that.
Third, as for the so-called “Glock Smile” (a term which I’ve never heard before), I’ve shot Buffalo Bore ammunition as well as Double Tap ammunition in 1911s and never seen this before, including with 450 SMC (Short Magnum Cartridges, super hot .45 ACP cartridges from Double Tap with a rifle primer versus a pistol primer), rated at 1120 FPS for a 230 gr. bullet. I’ve Never seen it before. Maybe it’s called “Glock Smile” because of the way it seats in the chamber?
I don’t know. I don’t do Glocks.
On March 12, 2021 at 10:21 am, Longbow said:
It is called the “Glock Smile” because Glocks have notoriously sloppy chambers. That is why they feed and function with any type of standard pressure ammunition even when extremely dirty. That loose fitting chamber leaves a bulge at the base of the brass after firing. It is most evident with higher pressure ammo like .40SW or 10mm Auto, but you can see it on most cases fried in Glock pistols.
On March 12, 2021 at 2:05 pm, Paul J said:
Shot a half box of +p+. Out of a 9 shield. Definitely warm. Blew primers out of a couple of cases.
On March 12, 2021 at 8:33 pm, =TW= said:
I never heard the term ‘Glock smile’ before either. So I did a quick search:
https://www.mp-pistol.com/threads/fully-supported-case.35978/
https://www.1911addicts.com/threads/supported-chamber-ramped-barrel.78569/
Ramped barrels and supported chambers may reduce the risk possibility of case failure when overpressure ammo is used in (.45ACP) 1911 barrels.
On March 13, 2021 at 7:02 am, James said:
i’ve handloaded probably 15k rounds using range pickup brass in .40. If they are Glocked early gen unsupported web chambering, they are indeed flared at the base and the primers have the vertical primer strike. There is no mystery here.
On March 13, 2021 at 2:33 pm, =TW= said:
By the time Glocks hit the market I had already owned several 1911s. Since then I acquired other handguns in .45ACP, 9mm, .38SPL and .357 MAG. My taste in 1911s has evolved, but I was never bit by the Glock bug.
Regarding .45ACP ammo:
Years ago, the hot ticket was CCI 230 gr JHP ‘flying ashtrays’ (if you could get them to feed in your .45) I’m not convinced those would expand reliably under all conditions, but even if not they would impart a significant thump. I expect newer bullet designs to be more reliable.
These days I’m inclined to go another way.
In 1911s, a 200 gr RNFP or SWC at about 900 FPS should get the job done. Bullet failure is not an issue, penetration should be adequate and tissue disruption should be greater than RN ball, or HP ammo that failed to expand.
Speer Lawman makes a 200 gr JRNFP (+P) advertised at 900 FPS.
My handloads using Oregon Trail .45LC 200 gr LRNFP are a bit milder. Tested for function in (6) 1911s and a SA XD with excellent results.
Please feel free to comment.
On March 14, 2021 at 12:53 am, Herschel Smith said:
@James,
Mystery to non-Glock folks.
@=TW=
I’ve shot Double Tap and Buffalo Bore +P+ out of 1911s with 1000+ FPS (headed up to 1100 FPS), with no problems, 230 grain, .45ACP.
Actually, I prefer the 230 grains. Underwood also makes some very hot loads for the 230 gr. I have several boxes.
On March 14, 2021 at 12:00 pm, The Shadow Knows said:
Neighbor had the first Glock on the block thirty years ago and it was a wert de ferk on that trigger and where is the hammer?
You can see right through the slide just like those flea market guns from FLA with tec in the name.
1911 is the king of semi-auto pistols because you have revolver double action power in a single action with more than 6 rounds.
It was made to stop charging Moro warriors in the Philippines after all.
If you are ordered by those in the rear with the gear to only use FMJ then nothing tops the .45acp round.
Regarding the light weight 200 and under grains, those don’t feed very well in some 1911 single stack style weapons.
That might not be a problem with the double action hammerless tactical Tupperware guns.
There is another huge plus of the 1911, the interchangeability of parts especially magazines!
On March 19, 2021 at 3:40 pm, =TW= said:
^^ “Regarding the light weight 200 and under grains, those don’t feed very well in some 1911 single stack style weapons.”
Agreed.
Feed ramp, chamber throat and mag. lips and followers are factors, also bullet profile.
SWC pills of any weight should feed in 1911s that function with RN ammo.
If RNFP bullets cause problems, COAL can be adjusted to improve feeding.